The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-06-19
A Revolution Among tho Knights Of
= Labor.

common eupneInlSIn lOr BulClQe,
A Revolution Among tho Knights Of
= Labor.
We have always been disposed to regard
Mr.. TERENCE V. PowDERLY, the General
Master Workman OF tho Knights Of Labor
as an honest man; but when we examine
certain proceedings and transactions in
which he has been the principal figure, 1t be-
comes impossible to exclude every doubt re-
specting his integrity.
The Constitution OF the General Assembly
provides as follows:
"This Constitution be amended only at regular
annual session Of the General Assembly by twohrds
vote; and all resolutions amending the saine shall be
forwarded the General Secretary Treasurer at least
xty days previous the meeting of the General Assem-
bly, who shall have the printed and distributed tn
each Local Assembly in order that they may instruct
their Representatives In reference thereto"
At the last session Of tho General Assem-
bly,, held in Richmond in October, 1856, with
Mr.. PowDERLY in the chair, an elaborate re-
port was presented recommending important
changes In the Constitution Of the order.
The point was raised that under the pro-
vision Of the Constitution which is quoted
above, every proposed amendment must first
be submitted to the Local Assemblies, and
that this must be done sixty days prior
to the meeting of the General Assem-
bly,. This point was promptly overruled
by the General Master Workman, who do
clared in the teeth OF the Constitution:
aThis General Assembly is competent and
can revise the Constitution ut this session"
No reason was givon to justify this revolu-
tlonary decision. Then ON amendment was
offered referring the entire matter back to
tho Locals for adoption, and the General
Master Workman ruled that this amend
ment was out Of order. Thus his former
decision was repeated and reinforced.
It Is thus evident that tho purpose In vio-
lating the Constitution of the order and
changing 1t radically in defiance Of Its explicit
provisions and guarantees, had been carefully
matured beforehand, and that Mr.. PowDERIY
himself was party to the conspiracy.
The same purpose Is exhibited In the man
ner Of notifying the order that the ConBtitu-
ton is to DO changed. and calling the Local
Assemblies to vote upon the change. In
stead Of issuing the new Constitution In
season to enable the Local Assemblies to act
intelligentlyupon 1t, 1t was not until the 18th
Of May last that It was sent forth by the CEN
trail authority. accompanied by an official cir
cular from CHARLES H. LrToHMAN, the Gem
eral Secretary, in the following language:
"To the Order Eperytchers Greeting: Herewith Is sub
mttsd for the approval Of the Local Assemblies tho
Constitution revised BY the committee appointed BY
consisting Of the General Executive Board and four
members Of the General Assembly.
"At tho meeting Of your Assembly next after the
ceipt Of this notice. vote must be taken separately
the two amendments herewith submitted namely tho
revised Constitution and the law eoverninR trade
assembled The result Of this vote must be given the
blank herewith sen and said blank must be In tho once
ofthe General Secretary later than %, e81.
"If tho date named, June 2o 1887 the returns re-
csived by tho General Secretary show majority Of
those voting to bs In favor Of both OF tho propo
ons submitted then proper proclamation Of that fact
70 the Order win be made"
This circular was devised and sent out
with remarkable cunning. A date for the re-
turn Of the votes was selected which rem
dered 1t impossible for considerable num-
Der Of the Local Assemblies to vote upon the
subject at all, since the circular would not
reach them until after their regular meeting
for June had been held, or else the returns
would have to be In the hands Of the Gem
eral Secretary before their June meeting
could be held.
or course this scheme had been so pre-
pared that those assemblies that were known
to be In favor Of the new Constitution, such
as No. 40 In New York, would be sure to vote,
and thus majority In favor Of the change
would DO secured, no matter what the senti-
ments of the great body Of the order might
be. II such scheme for managing an cleo
ton had been devised bya set OF professional
politicians, 1t would have been denounced
from one end OF tho country to the other.
But why these revolutionary and under
hand proceedings2 What Is their purpose
and what Is TO bc gained by themp Their
object Is 10 reduce the representation in the
General Assembly aud TO prolong tho term
OF tho officers. Under the old Constitu-
ton tho officers served one year only.
Frequent change insures responsibility,
honesty, and economy in the manage
ment OF tho, large sums, OF money
which pass through the treasury. Under
the new Constitution the officers servc two
years. For two years they. control tho
funds; for two years they have tho power Of
suspending District or Local Assemblies;
and for two years they WELD at their own
pleasure tho scourge Of the boycott.
Equally important TO these plotters Is the
reduction In representation. Under the old
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